Ying S. Meng - US grants

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Energy storage is the enabling key to the environmentally-friendly transportation and the economic deployment of renewable energy sources. All electrochemical energy storage and conversion materials function as 'living' systems (batteries, pseudocapacitors and fuel cells), within which electrons and ions are moving during charge and discharge. These electronic and ionic motions often trigger defect generation and phase transformations, and consequently result in significant changes in energy density and rate capability of the materials. Establishing the fundamental basis for these dynamical mechanisms during electrochemical processes will accelerate the creation of new synthetic materials with superior energy storage and conversion properties.

TECHNICAL DETAILS: This research targets the systematic synthesis, structural characterization and properties evaluation of a series of transition metal oxides xA2MnO3(1-x)Ay(NiMn)O2 (A=Li+, Na+ the mobile species) that are capable of storing energy reversibly. These oxides have intriguing and complex features including nanometer-scale phase separation upon cycling and dynamic cation redistribution at various state of charge, that significantly affect the mobility of the guest species. The reduction-oxidation processes that occur upon releasing the guest species, not only may alter the cation distributions, but also modify the solid-solid interfaces within the material, which are critical to the transport properties as well as the structural stability of the electrodes. The developed framework can be applied as the basis for controlling the dynamic phenomena in solid-state materials for energy storage; such knowledge is critical and transformational to design and develop new materials that will allow higher and faster energy storage and longer lifetime in electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. The broader impacts of this grant are integrated with the research objectives. The PI's education efforts include a). Vertically integrating precollegiate, undergraduate and graduate education and training through tools, practical examples and hands-on laboratory experiences b). Fostering a strong awareness and appreciation for diversity of cultural and educational backgrounds and experience and research approaches among the students to directly impact the diversity on UCSD campus, and c). Engaging in teaching and research in an international science and engineering environment, including organizing an annual international workshop and research-focused exchange program.

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPITON: The goal of the 2014 Professional Development Workshop in Ceramics is to enhance the career development of the next generation of future leaders in ceramic materials research and education. Three early-career faculty who have recently been awarded NSF CAREER grants from the Ceramics Program in the Division of Materials Research are the focus of the workshop activities. The main activity is an intensive two-day workshop that brings together three CAREER awardees with a group of eight to ten colleagues and peers, including recognized experts in their research areas, leaders from their chosen technical and professional societies, and international researchers with relevant experience in a forum that promote professional discussions, mentoring and networking activities. The unique exchange and interactions between all participants will impact the early-career faculty's respective fields of research, exchange of best practices for training and teaching, as well as the forging of new collaborative research opportunities. These outcomes should provide a strong base of support that helps the CAREER awardees succeed in becoming outstanding researchers and educators in their chosen fields. The workshop is also open to other early-career faculty who are eligible to apply for CAREER grants, but have not yet applied or been successful with their proposals, as well as interested post-doctoral associates and faculty members.

TECHNICAL DETAILS: The 2014 Professional Development Workshop in Ceramics focuses on three technical topics to be presented by each early-career faculty: 1) Quantification of the properties of individual heterojunction nanowires and their performance as photocatalysts. 2) Examination of the role of elasticity in strengthening glasses by in situ light scattering, and 3) Optimization and nano- engineering of the energy interconversion properties of oxide thermoelectric materials. The respective early-career faculty and the technical experts in their field of ceramic materials research are leading the scientific discussions for the purpose of critically evaluating research plans, career development, and education efforts.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are today the dominant form of energy storage in consumer electronics, and are increasingly finding applications in automotive, grid storage and other large-scale applications. In recent years, concerns about the potential abundance and cost of lithium, as well as the exciting possibilities of novel materials discovery, have led to a revival of interest in sodium-ion batteries as a potentially cheaper and more earth-abundant alternative. However, the commercial viability of sodium-ion technology still hinges on the discovery of suitable electrolytes. This Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF) award supports an integrated materials design effort aimed at finding suitable sodium-ion solid electrolytes that can enable a safer, cheaper energy storage alternative. This research is a multi-disciplinary effort combining quantum mechanics, software engineering, data mining, manufacturing, electrochemistry, and materials science. The research will also create open scientific software to spur materials innovation, broaden participation of underrepresented groups in research and positively impact engineering education.

Sodium-ion rechargeable batteries are a potentially cheaper and more abundant alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, significant challenges in electrolyte development must still be surmounted before sodium-ion chemistry is commercially viable. This aim of this research is to design and optimize novel sodium superionic conductor electrolytes that can enable cheaper, safer rechargeable batteries. The research will develop a high-throughput computational framework to automate first principles calculations of properties of interest, including Na+ conductivity and electrochemical stability, and a data management strategy to handle truly "big" materials data. Data mining techniques will be used to elucidate structure-chemistry-property relationships and to identify structures and chemistries that support fast Na+ conduction. Novel sodium superionic conductors identified will then be synthesized and characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, pair distribution function analysis and other methods. Finally, as the intergranular interface and electrode-electrolyte interface can have a significant impact on electrolyte performance, a model-guided interfacial engineering effort will be conducted to optimize the most promising sodium superionic conductor candidates.

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The demand for alternative energy sources has significantly increased in the past decade. Ceramics have revolutionized modern technologies such as electric vehicles, and more importantly renewable energy storage through the use of rechargeable electrochemical energy storage systems that couple chemical and electrical processes to convert the chemical energy to electric current. Sodium (Na) intercalation ceramics play a critical role in enabling possible use of rechargeable Na-ion batteries as the key large-scale energy storage systems. The high natural abundance and broad distribution of Na resources offer significant cost advantages. Yet Na ion batteries have not reached their full potential; therefore, it is imperative that high energy and power density materials are developed to further improve the technology. This project aims at discovering new high performance materials as well as exploring the interfacial science and defect engineering in ceramics. By taking a systematic approach using a suite of powerful analytical tools paired with first principles computational modeling, it is possible to identify the fundamental mechanisms in new ceramic materials for energy storage and conversion, in this case, sodium ion storage materials. Investigating and improving ceramic cathode materials for sodium ion batteries provides vital exposure to the next generation of research scientists through outreach activities for local underrepresented high school students with an interest in the materials science and engineering.

TECHNICAL DETAILS: During the electrochemical process, structural changes due to first order and second order phase transformations that affect the system's electrochemical performance are noticeable in the voltage profile. In addition, subtle yet critical changes occur at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces, limiting the lifetime of any ceramic materials used for energy storage. This research is significantly improving the understanding of both these structural phase transformations and surface/interface modifications, and at the same time is exploring their effects on ion transport and charge transfer in sodium ion intercalation compounds. Various types of surface modification are being carried out including carbon coating, sol-gel coating, and atomic layer deposition coating on sodium intercalation ceramic materials. Advanced surface probe techniques are being applied to find the changes in surface/interface structure and chemistry in sodium electrochemical cells. The objectives of this work are to determine: 1) structural factors that promote enhanced sodium ion mobility; 2) interfacial effects on ion transport and charge transfer; and, 3) effects of defect (dislocations, substitutional elements, and oxygen vacancies) on stability and reaction kinetics. This study obtains key knowledge that will propel the development of new sodium ion storage ceramic materials for future energy storage and conversion systems. Furthermore, active recruitment of underrepresented minority students is carried out at precollegiate, undergraduate as well as graduate levels. The project enables students to receive advanced instrument training at various national laboratories and shared University of California system user facilities and present their findings at conferences, thereby broadening participation of underrepresented students and highlighting their research.

Nontechnical Abstract: The growth, prosperity, security, and quality of life of humans are in large part determined by the materials they use. The mission of the UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (UCSD MRSEC) is to perform innovative, interdisciplinary materials research relevant to societal needs, and to prepare students to become future leaders in materials design and discovery. The research effort of the Center is conducted within two highly interdisciplinary groups. The first group is deploying the most powerful computers available to understand, predict, and ultimately control the properties of materials at microscopic size scales?sizes just larger than molecular dimensions. It is in this size regime where many useful properties of materials emerge. For example, changes in the shape of metal particles at this scale can change their color, their efficiency as a catalyst, or their sensitivity in a medical diagnostic test. The second group is using the tools of the biotechnology revolution?in particular, genetic engineering and synthetic biology?to build new classes of materials that can respond to stimuli from their environment in useful ways. Both groups are targeting fundamental breakthroughs that can impact a number of critically important needs: faster, more accurate sensors for medical diagnostic tests, more efficient decontamination of chemical or biological hazards, better catalysts to reduce the cost of industrial processes, and improved therapeutics for treating diseases. The fundamental research within the two groups is empowered by an integrated educational program to prepare a diverse community of trainees to enhance national proficiencies in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Immersive training for scientists across all levels ? novice through established ? develops technical competency in laboratory procedures, advanced instrumentation, and computational methods. Internship and scientist-in-residence programs fuel vital exchange of ideas and leverage partnerships with industry, national laboratories, and other collaborators. Partnership with the Fleet Science Center builds researchers? skills in science communication and connects the UCSD MRSEC with the diverse San Diego community to address community-articulated needs.

Technical Abstract: The UCSD MRSEC addresses two fundamental challenges: (1) How to predict and direct the assembly of materials at the mesoscale, where macroscopic behavior and properties emerge (IRG1: Predictive Assembly); and (2) How to deploy the tools of synthetic biology to build soft materials that meld the characteristics of living systems with the performance requirements of advanced engineered materials (IRG2: Stimuli-Responsive Living Polymeric Materials). IRG1 focuses on the rational design of innovative, functional mesomaterials with programmed plasmonic, catalytic, and structural properties. A computation-driven framework is being created to understand, predict, and design how shaped nanocomponents are used as material building blocks. The models developed bridge length and time scales relevant to mesoscale assembly. IRG2 integrates engineered living matter ? photosynthetic organisms ? into biological composites that respond to stimuli with genetically encoded outputs, such as chemical reagents and polymer feedstocks. The UCSD MRSEC creates unique resources to benefit the broader materials-research community: a MesoMaterials Design Facility ? a virtual, computational facility, and an Engineered Living Materials Foundry, consisting of a bio-synthesis laboratory and soft-matter characterization tools. The Center?s educational goals include preparing the next generation of interdisciplinary materials scientists, and increasing diversity and inclusion in materials research. The Research Immersion in Materials Science and Engineering (RIMSE) Summer Schools provide intensive training in the areas of IRG research. Enabling professional development for Center members in science communication, a partnership with the Fleet Science Center facilitates meaningful engagement with the diverse San Diego community.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Energy storage systems for buildings, wind and solar farms, and electric grids are playing an increasingly important role in mitigating the energy, sustainability and climate change challenges. Rechargeable batteries with high safety, low cost, long life and high resilience to environment changes are desired. Today’s lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can no longer meet these requirements because of the safety issues associated with flammable liquid electrolytes and scaling challenges for critical materials (e.g., cobalt, nickel, lithium) that are typically used for making them. The sodium (Na) all-solid-state battery (NaSSB) is considered a promising alternative technology to LIB for emerging large-scale storage applications. However, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) used in NaSSB have limited ionic conductivity, air/moisture sensitivity and interface instability with other components in the battery. The major challenges towards the development of efficient and eco-friendly manufacturing process are the achievement of: 1) precision control of the thickness, porosity, and uniformity of electrodes and SSEs; 2) high-speed mixing and rolling with low defects; and 3) high-purity of recycled material with the same level of performance as pristine materials. This Future Manufacturing Research Grant (FMRG) EcoManufacturing project will develop new knowledge to help transform today’s NaSSB battery manufacturing to a closed-loop, eco-friendly, high-precision, and high-yield technology based on a dry fabrication process. It will also make the manufacturing process safer and cheaper because of the increased cell energy density, and the elimination of caustic organic solvents as well as the related safety precautions. Not only limited to solid-state batteries, the new concept and knowledge developed in this project can be leveraged to improve the production efficiency and lower the cost of today’s LIB manufacturing. Therefore, it has the potential to make energy storage more acceptable and affordable, which will help the energy industry to shift towards more renewable sources, leading to a carbon-neutral society. In parallel, new education, training and workforce development programs will be developed to improve equality and opportunities for pre-college, undergraduate and graduate students in the manufacturing industry.

The goal of this project is to develop a paradigm-shift dry fabrication approach to enable eco-friendly manufacturing of NaSSBs for safe, low-cost and resilient large energy storage systems to help the United States meet the sustainable development goal. This project will assemble expertise in chemical engineering, nanoengineering, chemistry, materials science, life-cycle analysis/technoeconomic analysis, machine learning and data science, as well as collaborators in community colleges and industry to develop new fabrication processes, advanced materials and new battery protypes that can potentially be used for a wide range of large-scale storage systems. The research will focus on filling the science and knowledge gaps in NaSSB manufacturing through four highly synergistic thrusts: 1) Dry fabrication processes design for cathode, solid-state electrolytes and anode to enable NaSSB cell architecture with high-capacity loading and long-cycling; 2) Integrated technoeconomic and life-cycle analysis to guide and improve manufacturing steps, materials advancement and recycling process. 3) Multiscale quality control and standardization through materials interfacial engineering and inline analysis for the fabrication process; 4) Design and demonstration of closed-loop and waste-free recycling. The new knowledge and tools created from this research will enable eco-friendly, low-cost and safe energy storage in large scale systems for a sustainable energy infrastructure.

This Future Manufacturing project is jointly funded by the Divisions of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS), Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET), and Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) in the Directorate of Engineering, the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, and the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE).

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

This Major Research Instrumentation Award is for a 3D Small-Angle and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS) instrument, located in a shared nano/microfabrication and materials analysis facility at UC San Diego. As an essential analytical tool, this advanced SAXS/WAXS instrument supports the ongoing research of a broad cross-section of researchers, enabling discoveries in synthetic chemistry, catalysis, inorganic and biological materials, quantum materials, and energy storage/conversion materials. The instrument provides a versatile, state-of-the-art, reliable and local solution to the SAXS needs of the large scientific community in the Southern California region comprising San Diego and Orange Counties. In addition, the SAXS/WAXS instrument is used to enrich the training of both graduate and undergraduate students in the theory, synthesis, and analysis of nano- and microstructured materials. It allows instructors to use modern research data for pedagogical purposes, provides students with hands-on x-ray training to enhance their science, engineering, and technology curriculum, and augments the educational outreach programs at UC San Diego, bringing a significant opportunity to increase participation of underrepresented students in research.

Small-Angle and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS) is one of the few experimental techniques that can characterize the nano- and microstructure of soft matter and nanomaterials. It is an essential analytical tool in the characterization of mesoscale and nanoscale features in a wide range of biological and artificial materials. The instrument enables measurement in a dynamic environment (with in-situ control of temperature, humidity, and ambient gas concentration) to provide insights into materials structure-function and structure-response relationships. Unique features of the instrument include automated simultaneous SAXS and WAXS measurements, grazing incidence measurements on liquid interfaces, and low-volume flow-through sampling of biomacromolecules. These features are also appropriate for studies of: (i) short-lived species; (ii) degradation-prone biological samples; (iii) air-, temperature-, or water-sensitive materials; and (iv) materials systems that require frequent or long-timescale x-ray measurements. The instrument also features a doubly focused point source, which allows for collecting scattering data from both isotropic and anisotropic samples because a scattering image can be generated from the entire projected source. The instrument is used to solve transformational materials science problems in the areas of mesomaterials, inorganic, and biological materials, quantum materials, and energy storage/conversion materials.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.